The landmark E-MOTIVE study, led by University of Birmingham researchers and coordinated by the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, tested a package of low-cost interventions that resulted in a 60% reduction in heavy bleeding following childbirth.
This week the E-MOTIVE trial has been awarded ‘David Sackett Trial of the Year Award’ by the Society of Clinical Trials, recognising the importance of the findings and the potential impact as the simple, low-cost approach is rolled out around the world, dramatically improving maternal health across the globe.
I’m honoured to accept the Trial of the Year Award on behalf of the E-MOTIVE project. E-MOTIVE was a huge international team effort, and this award speaks to the dedication of teams at each of our 80+ sites. More high-quality clinical trial evidence is desperately needed for pregnancy and maternal health so we’re delighted to receive this recognition of our work and the impact it will have on deaths from PPH.
Dr Adam Devall collected the award, on behalf of the E-MOTIVE team, from the Society of Clinical Trials 45th Annual Meeting, in Boston, USA.
Each year the award goes to a randomized, controlled trial published in the previous calendar year that is considered to improve the lot of humankind and provide the basis for substantial, beneficial change in healthcare, amongst other criteria.
“This has been the largest set of nominations for the Trial of the Year Award in all my time on the committee. We received numerous nominations for worthy trials, from around the world and across a large number of clinical disciplines – including obstetrics, emergency medicine, infectious disease, and cancer. We had a challenging time as a committee to choose a winner” said Andrew Cook, Chair of the SCT David Sackett Trial of the Year Committee.
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), or severe bleeding after birth, is the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. It affects an estimated 14 million women each year and results in around 70 000 deaths – mostly in low and middle-income countries - equivalent to 1 death every 6 minutes. The E-MOTIVE study found that objectively measuring blood loss using a simple, low-cost collection device called a ‘drape’ and bundling together WHO-recommended treatments - rather than offering them sequentially – reduced severe bleeding by 60%, and women were less likely to lose their life.
Professor Arri Coomarasamy, who led the E-MOTIVE trial and is the Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Women’s Health at the University of Birmingham said:
“This new approach to treating postpartum haemorrhage could radically improve women’s chances of surviving childbirth globally, helping them get the treatment they need when they need it”.
